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Are you wondering if cilantro is OK for canine consumption?
It’s a great question considering that many herbs and spices should be off limits to your dog.
Cilantro in particular is an ingredient in lots of wonderful recipes. So is this herb harmful for hounds or perhaps could it be healthy?
Well, you’ll be happy to hear that cilantro is safe for dogs — not toxic at all!
In fact, some believe it alleviates upset stomach as well as nausea, gas and indigestion.
Your Dog Can Eat Cilantro In Moderation
Also known as coriander or Chinese parsley, there is nothing wrong with feeding your best buddy a bit.
Cilantro is closely related to parsley. In reasonable amounts, neither are dangerous for dogs though allergic reactions can never be ruled out.
Do Not Get Carried Away
Cilantro may seem to calm your dog’s stomach. However, there is no conclusive evidence that supports its use as a remedy.
On the other hand, if you give too much, your dog could experience mild digestive troubles.
The point is this:
Be moderate when feeding your furry friend cilantro!
A Perspective on Herbs
Humans are the only species that season their food, unless you count Japanese monkeys using saltwater! We are also the only species to cook our meals.
In general, table foods are questionable for dogs.
Obviously our eating preferences are quite different from what animals normally consume.
Coriander, K9s And Cure-alls
Coriander contains a good amount of vitamin A, some vitamin C as well as vitamin K. Again, that does not necessarily mean it will work wonders for your dog.
The flavonoids, iron and magnesium could be beneficial as well (at least in theory).
Should Be Dog Food First
The easiest way to feed your dog is to refrain from giving table scraps and people food altogether. Take the money you’ve saved and put it towards a quality dog food.
This way you won’t have to worry about what you give them. Their nourishment and sustenance will come from the formulated dog food.
Feeding cilantro and most other herbs is a game of hit or miss. It may or may not help at all.
Keeping It Very Simple
When running at optimal nutrition, a dog is a well-oiled machine and requires very little maintenance. As long as they’re getting the proper protein, carbohydrates, fats, vitamins and minerals they will have lots of energy.
Normally, all you have to do is watch what you give them and keep things simple. If you have a sick dog and you’re considering cilantro, we would advise you to seek out an excellent veterinarian rather than taking a trial-and-error approach.
The Bottom Line
Make sure that your dog lives a long and healthy life with the proper diet instead of questionable supplementation. Don’t just feed them things because somebody else says it is okay.
While your intention is good, we are mostly neutral on this lime-like herb known as cilantro.
My Eskimo eats finely-chopped parsley and cilantro in small amounts. They get mixed in with his chicken hearts or gizzards. He likes it! I try to get as many greens in him as possible.
He has skin issues related to low thyroid. I’m working with a holistic vet to rule out Cushing’s syndrome. He tested negative on the urine gravity test. Our veterinarian suggests raw ground meats and low carbs.
I bought some salmon patties that contain small amounts of cilantro and my dog loves them. No problems at all.
I dropped cilantro on the floor while washing it and my dog had a fit over it. I had to then do research to make sure I didn’t need to make a call to the vet. Now she’s fine and has fresh kisses. I will now use in slight moderation.
I have a mini schnauzer with a lot of food and environmental allergies. I have come to the point where I let him tell me what is okay for him to eat. The first time I got the cilantro out, he came running. I didn’t think he would eat it but he loved it. I let him have it occasionally, and only 1 or 2 leaves at most. By the way, I have tried “good quality kibble” and it just doesn’t work for him. Raw is best.
Regarding raw food, I had similar situation with my dog. After many trips and calls to the vet, and after trying many high quality kibbles, raw food is what finally did the trick. Now my Jack Russell never has issues with colitis. My vet doesn’t like it, but I’ve gotta do what works!